| Eldersburg
Health Talk - January 2010
Eldersburg Voices
Tracy Cox
 Scaling
Back
Getting
on the scale is the moment of truth. I would rather clean
the bathroom, re-arrange my sock drawer (or anyone else’s
for that matter), than get on the scale. But I still did it
every day. Until recently.
I
was shocked when I got on the scale January 1. I have lost
20 pounds in the last year.
I
had scaled back to weighing once a week, but had not actually
totaled the number. Wow.
Twenty
pounds. Without getting on the scale every day, counting points,
calories or starving. Twenty pounds without exercising to
the point of complete muscle exhaustion and failure. How is
this possible?
I
have never been thin. I imagined (especially in my teens and
early 20’s) that my life would be amazing and perfect
if I could just be a normal weight. This was reinforced by
family, with relatives offering new clothes and trips if I
would “just lose a little; after all, you have such
a pretty face.”
For
years, numbers on the scale were indicative of how my day
would go. A pound higher and my self-worth would plummet,
a pound lower and I would convince myself I could handle anything.
Here’s
the thing. Everyone has woes. Fat, thin, rich, poor. We all
have problems. Blaming my weight for my woes was not working.
Change was imminent.
I
have been a wellness professional for over 15 years. I am
not proud of being a dieter for 30 plus years. I know that
weighing one’s self once a week was more accurate than
once a day (too many fluctuations day-to-day to get a proper
reading).
Advice
is easy to give, hard to follow. I advised my clients to weigh
once a week. However, I simply had to get on the scale once
a day.
Back
to the 20 pounds. How did that happen?
Gradually.
Learning that my self-worth was not tied to the number on
the scale. Scaling back to weighing once a week was a piece
of the puzzle.
With
not weighing every day, an amazing transformation began to
occur. Because my attention was focused on the day, rather
than the scale, my woes became easier to manage.
Energy
and attention were spent enjoying food, rather than judging
its caloric, fat, or carbohydrate content. I ate less and
began to choose things that made me feel better.
Exercise
became more fun: dancing became easier, yoga more thoughtful.
My students smile more. The specific number of calories burned
has become irrelevant.
I
let go of the obsessive nature of dieting and weighing; and
started to eat for energy. I have learned to enjoy eating,
rather than feeling guilt and remorse for it.
Will
I lose more weight? If my body needs to, it will happen.
My
goal? Continue to feel well, and strive to help my clients
do the same. Weight loss is just a part of the equation.
So
in the next few weeks I’ll share with you my personal
experience on exercise and healthy weight loss. By sharing
experiences, we can enjoy a healthier and happier 2010 together.
Tracy
Cox is an AFAA-certified group fitness instructor, Zumba,
Zumba Gold, Yogafit and NETA certified yoga instructor; AFPA/ISMA
certified Pilates, Kid & Teen Fitness instructor, SCW
Moms-in-Motion fitness instructor, Waterart Aqua Instructor,
and SCW Tai Chi and Qi Gong for Fitness Professionals Certified,
and coordinator of Freedom Area Recreation Council’s
nonprofit adult fitness program, Freedom
Fitness, by the Kmart in Carrolltown Center, Eldersburg.
Cox teaches ZUMBA, step, hi/lo and dance aerobics, yoga, Pilates
and numerous other group fitness classes. She is also Chair
of the Prevention and Wellness Committee for the Partnership
for a Healthier Carroll County and on the Executive Board
of Freedom Area Recreation Council. She can be reached via
email, cox@freedomfitness.info
or 410-795-9101.
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